news from Maui

steps toward restoration and recovery

Week of Compassion remains in contact with a wide variety of ecumenical partners and local community leaders as the restoration and recovery continues in Lahaina and other areas of west Maui in the wake of August wildfires. 

Maui County has divided the burn area into zones, slowly opening these zones for limited resident access, with a system in place, led by Hawai’i VOAD, where trained volunteers accompany residents on their first day of reentry. These skilled partners help ensure residents have and know how to use proper Personal Protective Equipment, provide emotional and spiritual support, and help connect survivors to additional assistance as it is needed.

While access remains quite restricted due to concerns of exposure to toxins, several organizations are assisting with ash-sifting, to recover any personal property that may have survived, and with cleanup efforts, which are complicated by the environmental concerns about ash and debris flowing into the ocean. Local officials, the Environmental Protection Agency, and others are working to balance access for residents with critical mitigation efforts.

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Recognizing that many are eager to resume tourism across Maui, Hawai’i VOAD emphasized the significant necessity for anyone coming to Maui to be sensitive to the grief of residents and to practice cultural awareness.

Week of Compassion is coordinating a small number of virtual volunteers in partnership with Crisis Cleanup who will help with data entry to facilitate cleanup. We have also participated in an introductory training for community leaders hosted by Lutheran Disaster Response, and are actively participating in conversations about long-term recovery. Such plans include careful consideration of affordable housing, honoring concerns from the Native Hawaiian community, and a thorough assessment of the scope and scale of the work as both challenge and opportunity.

PRAY * GIVE * STAY remains Week of Compassion’s best guidance and response in this moment. Those interested in connecting with virtual volunteering, or long-term recovery opportunities, as both are made available, can complete a Volunteer Interest Form.